The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced it intends to formally assess the impacts of issuing annual catch limits for the subsistence harvest of bowhead whales. Any changes would go into effect in 2019.

According to the survey’s late June count, 917 whales have been seen in the Norton Sound. In a NOAA Fisheries press release, the surveyors said these numbers “put us well on track to being able to update the abundance estimate for this population of belugas.”

The public hearing on Ballot Measure 4 in Kotzebue earlier this month yielded more questions than answers about how the “Bristol Bay Forever” initiative would be implemented, if it passes the vote in November.

The KNOM Newsletter

We’re Hiring.

KNOM is hiring for a full-time News Director to coordinate all KNOM news programming and content. The News Director is the supervisor to the lead reporter and all volunteer fellows. The position is open until filled.

KNOM is hiring for a full-time Lead Reporter to serve as KNOM’s primary journalist for Western Alaska and to anchor daily and weekly newscasts on KNOM AM & FM. The Lead Reporter assists the News Director in training and coaching KNOM volunteer fellows. The position is open until filled.